“FRT” gets thrown around a lot and explained badly. Here is the straight version: what a forced reset trigger actually does, why it is a semi-automatic part and not a machine gun, and what to check before you buy one.
A forced reset trigger (FRT) is a trigger that uses the firearm's own cycling to mechanically push the trigger forward after each shot, so it resets faster than your finger can release it — while still firing only one round per pull.
A normal trigger relies on your finger to release it before the next shot. An FRT adds a reset component that is driven by the moving slide or bolt carrier. As the action cycles, that component forces the trigger back to the ready position and briefly blocks it until it is reset — so the moment you are able to press again, the trigger is already forward and waiting.
The result is a very fast, consistent rate of aimed fire. But the mechanism cannot fire on its own: it needs a fresh, deliberate pull of the trigger for every single round. One function of the trigger, one shot.
Sometimes, but do not count on it. AR-platform FRTs drop into the fire-control pocket like a cassette trigger, though they can be fussy about buffer and spring pairing. Pistol FRTs — like a Glock FRT — replace the trigger shoe and fit a reset component to the trigger bar, which usually needs light fitting. Treat “drop-in” as a starting point, not a guarantee.
The AR-15 is the most common platform. Pistols like the Glock and the Taurus TX22 have their own FRT-style kits, and there are designs for the AK and other platforms. Fitment is platform-specific — an AR trigger does not fit a Glock and vice-versa. See FRTs by platform for the breakdown.
This is the part that actually changes. FRTs have been through repeated federal enforcement and litigation, and the position has moved more than once; several states restrict rapid-fire trigger devices on their own terms. Read the current picture in our FRT legality guide before you buy, and verify your own state's law.
FRT stands for forced reset trigger.
No. A forced reset trigger fires one round per pull of the trigger. It is a semi-automatic component; the reset is mechanical and only pushes the trigger forward faster.
Functionally no — it requires a separate trigger pull for each shot. The legal classification has been disputed and has changed over time, so check the current federal position and your state law.
AR-platform FRTs are close to drop-in; pistol FRTs like the Glock kit usually need light fitting. Neither is guaranteed to run without tuning the springs.